Moose head to playoffs on winning notes
April 13, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release
TORONTO, ON. -- Though the Toronto Marlies battled back from an early two-goal deficit, the Manitoba Moose finished on top of a 4-3 decision thanks to a third-period goal by defenceman Maxime Fortunus and clutch saves from Cory Schneider. The Moose can now focus on their first-round playoff opponent, the Syracuse Crunch. The Moose-Crunch series gets underway Friday, April 18th in Syracuse.
The Moose struck first only two minutes into the game. After feeding Alexander Bolduc with a backhand pass, Brad Moran descended on Marlies' netminder Scott Clemmensen, received the puck back from Bolduc, and lifted it into the net to score the first goal of the game.
Fellow first-liner Jannik Hansen soon made it two on Manitoba's second shot. While surging up the right wing, Hansen fired a slapshot from the top of the face-off circle, and though Clemmensen caught a piece of the puck, it bumbled across the goal line to give the Moose a 2-0 lead.
Shortly after Hansen's goal, Toronto's Kris Newbury took an interference penalty, but Manitoba was unable to extend their lead on the game's first powerplay. Once back at full strength, the Marlies cut Manitoba's lead in half. From the middle of the face-off circle, John Mitchell guided a slapshot over Schneider's glove and inside the post to put his club within one heading into the second period.
The Marlies were on the attack early in the middle frame, and despite benefiting from a second powerplay, the Moose struggled to find offensive momentum. A hooking penalty to Moran at the 10-minute mark didn't help matters for Manitoba, but the club excelled on the disadvantage and forced play back into the Toronto zone. Though Clemmensen stopped Greg Rallo's original shot, Greg Classen caught a piece of the bouncing rebound to score his second shorthanded goal of the season and put the Moose up 3-1.
A mishandled puck brought the Marlies back within one in the first minute of the third period. While playing the puck behind his net, Schneider directed it back out to the slot, where Alex Foster pounced and pushed it across the line before the goalie could get back into position.
With 10 minutes left in the game, Toronto's David Ling evened the score. The Marlies controlled the play in the Moose zone, and when Schneider was scrambling, Ling capitalized by lifting the puck just under the crossbar to set the score 3-3.
But a pair of Toronto penalties threatened the home team's comeback, and Manitoba wasted no time reclaiming their lead. During the five-on-three powerplay, Fortunus beat Clemmensen from the slot to put the Moose back up by one.
The Marlies topped 30 shots and iced six skaters in the game's final minutes, but Schneider stepped up to stall the desperate team, ensuring a season-closing 4-3 victory for the Moose.
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American Hockey League Stories from April 13, 2008
- Krog wins AHL's scoring Triple Crown - AHL
- Aeros' duo wins AHL's Harry "Hap" Holmes Award - AHL
- Admirals Battle Wolves in Playoffs, Start Wednesday - Milwaukee Admirals
- Phantoms Close Regular Season With 3-2 Win Over Albany - Adirondack Phantoms
- Crunch Clinch Home Ice in Calder Cup Playoffs - Syracuse Crunch
- AHL announces opening schedules for 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs - AHL
- Phantoms Announce Year-End Awards - Adirondack Phantoms
- Wolves Battle Admirals in West Division Semifinal - Chicago Wolves
- Wolves clinch best record in western conference in final tune up before playoffs - Chicago Wolves
- Krog wins AHL's scoring Triple Crown - Chicago Wolves
- Aeros' duo wins AHL's Harry "Hap" Holmes Award - Houston Aeros
- 'Dogs crunched in season finale - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Sound Tigers conclude season with a 3-2 loss to Connecticut rival - Bridgeport Islanders
- Moose open Calder Cup playoffs Friday in Syracuse - Manitoba Moose
- Moose head to playoffs on winning notes - Manitoba Moose
- P-Bruins Fall To Devils 4-1 - Providence Bruins
- Sharks Thank Fans With 4-2 Win In Season Finale - Worcester Sharks
- Marlies Announce 2007-08 Individual Award Winners - Toronto Marlies
- Amerks Close Regular Season Tonight Against Lake Erie - Rochester Americans
- AHL Morning Skate - AHL
- Wolves Sign Esposito - Chicago Wolves
- Aeros In Three Way Tie For Third With One Game Left - Houston Aeros
- Stars Drop 4-1 Decision At Peoria - Iowa Chops
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